City Hall Proposal Ok`d

Housing Plans Requested

DELRAY BEACH -- A new and larger City Hall chamber for public meetings was approved by one vote on Tuesday, over opposition from two city commissioners.

Those two commissioners said they wanted to know first how the city will repay the $500,000 cost of the project and whether it will take money away from other needs.

In unrelated action, commissioners said they would consider two revised plans for the Auburn Trace affordable-housing complex proposed by developer Philip Procacci.

The City Hall expansion plans led to a rare exchange of raised voices on the dais as Mayor Doak Campbell defended a proposal made last week that the city seek a $3.1 million line of credit, of which $500,000 would be set aside for the new public hearing chamber.

He said the money could be paid back by a variety of means, including a future bond issue or utility taxes.

But Commissioner Mary McCarty objected, saying that a bond issue would have to be approved by voters.

``We would be deeming something (necessary) and asking the public to ratify it after the fact,`` she said.

Vice Mayor Jimmy Weatherspoon said he would like a breakdown of just how the $3.1 million would be spent before he would approve $500,000 for the chamber.

``I`m not sure our City Hall has to look like Queen Elizabeth`s palace when streets need to be paved and things need to be done,`` he said.

The plan of architects Digby Bridges and Mark Marsh for an expansion of City Hall otherwise drew praise.

The proposed first phase would include a new roof and facade, parts of a colonnade around the building and a new wing on the north side of City Hall for all offices related to development. These improvements would be paid for with $1.5 million already earmarked for City Hall.

The first phase, approved 3-2, would include the new chamber for a total $2.15 million plan.

The chamber would seat about 220 residents and include a projection booth and display monitors so that audio-visual presentations could be seen from the dais and from the audience, Marsh said.

McCarty and Weatherspoon voted against the proposed first phase, objecting to the public chambers.